A survey from the Open Data Institute (ODI) and YouGov has found that 59% of people trust the NHS to use personal data ethically, the only type of organisation trusted by over half of those surveyed.

The study, which focused on the current attitudes of British adults towards the ethical use of personal data, also found that the public trusts banks more than local or central government bodies when it comes to handling their personal information.

42% of respondents trusted banks and building societies, while central and local government bodies were trusted by 30% and 31% of the public. Trust declined sharply when the public was polled about its trust in public transport providers with only 7% offering their vote of confidence.

According to the study, 44% feel government and regulators should have the most responsibility for ensuring data about them is handled ethically. 18% indicated they thought the organisations and companies fathering the data themselves should bear most of the responsibility.

12% thought individuals should have most responsibility, and 3% felt responsibility should lie with consumer rights organisations.

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While more than half of those surveyed trust the NHS to handle their data, most oppose the use of patient data by tech companies, even though the majority support the use of anonymised NHS patient data to enhance diagnosis, research and care.

Incidents, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal and new regulation around the misuse and mishandling of personal data, have raised the public’s awareness about their data rights, and the need for organisations to use data ethically.

Jeni Tennison, CEO at the Open Data Institute, said: “The survey shows us that people quite rightly expect organisations to use personal data ethically.

“Organisations need to respond to their concerns and be more trustworthy in how they collect and use personal data.

“This is not only the right thing to do, it will help organisations to keep benefiting from the data they rely on and retain the trust of their customers and employees.

“Talking about using data ethically is not enough, organisations need to publicly demonstrate how they do this in order to build trust.”